Love! Valour! Compassion!

Here’s proof that grief and love are fantastic themes for a play: The twinned emotions allow for laughter both easy and tearful. Lambda Players’ production has a couple of stand-out performances: Arlon Carlson’s understated approach to the character of Buzz Hauser, the musical-obsessed, fey defender of all things sissy; and Shawn B. O’Neal in dual roles as twin brothers, James “the Fair” and John “the Foul.” There’s also some eye-candy—of both the twenty-something and middle-aged variety. The spare stage is adaptable, if a bit drab, but that does allow for some flexibility in performance. And perhaps it’s for the best if the set leaves us nothing to distract from the emotional impact of the performance.
Lambda Players, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; $12.50-$16.50. Lambda Players Theatre 2427 17th Street; (916) 444-8229, www.lambdaplayers.com. Through August 25.